Haaretz said Goldberg is close to Obama administration officials. He's a conduit. He delivers messages to Netanyahu and other Israeli officials. Often it's on Palestinian and Iranian issues.

Goldberg "described the White House's lack of trust in and frustration with Netanyahu."

When Obama learned about his E1 Ma'aleh Adumim development plan, he "didn't even bother getting angry."

"He told several people that this sort of behavior on Netanyahu's part is what he has come to expect, and he suggested that he has become inured to what he sees as self-defeating policies of his Israeli counterpart."

After UN Member States upgraded Palestine from observer to non-member UN status, Netanyahu responded harshly. Obama said privately that "Israel does not know what its own best interests are."

He believes that "if Israel, a small state in an inhospitable region, becomes more of a pariah - one that alienates even the affections of the US, its last steadfast friend - it won't survive."

"Anyone who hadn't woken up yet, got up this morning to a very sharp and clear statement by the president of the United States, who has said some serious things about Israel's prime minister," she said.

"One can like or not like the president of the United States, but we're talking about Israel's greatest friend and Israel's security, so these remarks should wake up every Israeli."

"It saddens me that we've reached this situation, but they're laying the truth out for us."

"If there isn't a dramatic change and people sitting on the fence don't go out and vote, Israel will keep heading into isolation that will lead to violence."

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.